Living with Tozer's God

Blogpost #14

Chapter 3: The Attributes of God

In the mid-15th century, there was a mad rush by all the major European countries to extend their dominion over what was rapidly becoming a "new world" land grab. As it almost always is, the motive was money. Money and power ruled the world then; things haven't changed much.

While most of Europe was focused on going south towards the African cape in search of a route to India for trade purposes, one Portuguese explorer wanted to take a western route, directly across the Atlantic Ocean. The only problem with this plan was that no one had any idea how far it was across the Atlantic! At least if you sailed south, you could keep pretty close to land the whole way.

Christopher Columbus finally found a patron in Queen Isabella of Spain. Spain needed a 'win' in the race for riches and Columbus' bold plan might be it. Once outfitted for the voyage, the ships launched on August 3, 1492. They arrived in the "new world" on October 12, 1492. For those who like to see the hand of divine providence in world-changing events, that voyage lasted exactly 70 days. The world has never been the same since.

We attribute the discovery of America to Christopher Columbus. By that we mean that he gets credit for it. But, discovering the "new world", is not an attribute of Columbus.It doesn't tell us who the person really is.

The word we are thinking about is spelled exactly the same, but has an entirely different meaning. Actions and/or accomplishments may be attributed to you, but they don't necessarily define you. Some actions may be intentional, others accidental. Some may be premeditated, others just dumb luck. Likewise, some actions may be purposeful on your part, others the reaction to or the result of circumstances that are totally beyond your control.

Attributes do define you. They make up the foundation of the character which is who you really are. The actions you initiate, the goals and purposes you determine to pursue, the principles that guide the choices and decisions you make will largely be determined by the attributes which make up the character which is "you". This is true of God as well...only in a perfect way.

Distinguishing between God's Essence and His Attributes

We define God by His attributes when we say "God is..." or "God is like...". It's the closest we can come to understanding who He is. Then the question that often comes is, "How many attributes does God have?" The honest answer is that we don't really know. There's actually a lot we don't know about God; after all, He is an infinite God, right? So, we can only work with what He has revealed about Himself...which, fortunately, is a lot!

In trying to understand the attributes of God, I separate them into two main categories. I distinguish what He is in Himself (in His essence) from what He does (our experience of Him). His essence makes His attributes possible. To give a practical illustration, think of it like perfume. Perfume has an essence (an inner core of elements) which make the fragrance possible. We may not understand all the inner workings of the essence, but we enjoy the benefit of the fragrance.

Those attributes which make up God's "essence" (things which He is in Himself) would seem to include things like the 3 "Omni's", plus His Goodness, His Righteousness and His Love. Good arguments could be made that other things should be included, but let's limit it to these for now.

We can't actually experience the attributes which make up His essence. But, we do see the impact, the fragrance. Romans 1 says, "...His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen, being understood through what has been made...". The whole operation of the universe, day after day, night after night, season after season, not to mention the sustaining of all life on earth, all testify to the truth of this verse. Common sense would conclude it, even if evolution argues it's not real.

By contrast, there are attributes which we do experience. What would be an example? Let's take God's "goodness". We know that God is good; Jesus revealed that specifically in Luke 17 in His conversation with the rich young ruler. But, how do we experience that "goodness"? We experience that "goodness" in the form of grace (God giving us blessings instead of what we deserve, namely, judgment). We experience it in the form of kindness, mercy and compassion (He sees our sufferings and need and instead of ignoring them He is moved to relieve them). We also experience His love (because of His essential goodness, He was moved to give Himself to us and sacrifice Himself for us...most vividly revealed in the gift of His Son to die for our sins. This is Biblical love).

The real question for us would seem to be: Why did He bother? Why does He still do it? After all, when you read the whole story, it doesn't seem like He gets much benefit, does it?

The answer is because God is different. He is simply not like us. He wanted us to know Him, to experience Him, because He knew it would be a blessing to us.. It was His goodness and love which moved Him to reveal Himself, especially after our rebellion.

"Behold, this is your God..."

Let's try to sum this up. The glory of God is the sum of all His attributes. It is all that He is and He does not change. He is all that He is all the time. He doesn't suspend one of His attributes in order to accommodate another. He doesn't suspend His justice in order to demonstrate mercy. He doesn't stop loving even when He must discipline. He is all that He is...all the time...and always will be.

But, there is a problem. Man is so deeply damaged by his sinful, rebellious nature that he couldn't get the message of who God is simply by His works or His words. So, God sent a final message...one that would be impossible not to understand. He sent His Son.

In one of those spellbinding, life-changing moments that occur when we least expect it, the writer of Hebrews opens the letter with "God". He simply begins with "God"...and that stops everything. You have to listen, God is speaking. This moment has 'finality' stamped all over it. It's only happened a few times in all of history...and the author makes it clear this is one of those moments. There's no more He can say. It's a final word. But, what a statement!

"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers...in many ways...

in these last days has spoken to us in the person of His Son. 

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature,

 and upholds all things by the word of His power. 

When He had made purification of sins, 

He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." 

 Heb 1:1-3

If we want an unmistakeable picture of what God is like, what His attributes look like in human form, what we were intended to be like when we were created in His image, we need only look on the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why He could say to Philip, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father." The image of God has been perfectly revealed in the character of a man...a sinless man...the Lord Jesus Christ.

What's really amazing is that God is working in us now and won't be finished until we are "conformed to that same image". When you look in the mirror, you may be tempted to wonder if that can really be true... If He hadn't said it, I couldn't believe it. But, isn't that what faith is all about, trusting Him to do what only He can do...even make us like Himself?

"Behold, this is our God!"